Hi there, From what you write now I suspect a family of Swamp Harriers, the two in the photo being young birds and the other one you mention its parent. Though
that is only an opinion as to what is likely. I have no issue with your id of other raptors. Don’t always assume that the bird you hear is the one you see. My question though relates to how
Black-breasted Kite
came into the thread. You write “so after reading the report on E-Bird stating the same observation”
so what observation was that? Can anyone else clarify? Did someone else see
these Swamp Harriers and think they are
Black-breasted Kites. It would need a lot better evidence if so, to make that case.
For what it is worth as an aside, I recall years ago Dick Schodde giving a talk titled “Is the Black-breasted Buzzard a Kite” or was it titled “Is the Black-breasted
Kite a Buzzard”. Same question as either name really isn’t right. But we don’t have a good name. My understanding is that bird & Square-tailed Kite & Red Goshawk are really not a buzzard, kite or goshawk but their own little group of related aussie raptors
that superficially look and behave like those well known other birds.
Philip
From: shorty [
Sent: Monday, 1 June 2015 6:35 AM
To: Philip Veerman
Cc: Julian Teh; COG Chatline
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Black-breasted Kite
Thanks all for your help.
Phillip, i observed these birds flying slowly over Kelly's and then being mobbed by a Black-shouldered Kite and moments later a Swamp Harrier ( white rump visible ) flew low over the swamp, so after reading the report on E-Bird stating
the same observation i guess i was hoping i was wrong with my thoughts on these birds ( looks like i was anyway ).
Anyway with these being declared SH, raptors for my early morning walk around Kelly Swamp.
1 W Kite seen and 1 heard ( have a poor shot but no mistaking it )
1 Little Eagle ( again poor shot )
On Sun, May 31, 2015 at 8:50 PM, Philip Veerman <> wrote:
I too think they are Swamp Harriers (yes I can't rule out young Spotted
Harriers) and certainly not a Black-breasted Kite (BBK) (Sorry I am lost as
to how did that even become a thought in the subject header when the message
asks about Whistling Kites?) Does not have any BBK features and BBK is
clearly immediately ruled out by them having a long tail....... And they
aren't here. As for Whistling Kites, well if you heard their call and it
came from the birds in the photo I would be very surprised.
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Julian Teh [
Sent: Sunday, 31 May 2015 7:44 PM
To: shorty
Cc: COG Chatline
Subject: Black-breasted Kite
I think those are Swamp Harriers :)
Black-breasted Buzzard (kite) would be a pretty exceptional ACT record!!!
Julian
> On 31 May 2015, at 7:41 pm, shorty <> wrote:
>
> I have seen that on E-Bird that a sighting was made of this bird.
> I also saw the same observation but thought that they were Whistling Kites
( i heard their call )
> Light was poor but i took a pic anyway, still think they are W Kites but
would love the tick.
> Can anyone confirm from this lousy pic?
>
>
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